Around 75% of the patients submitted to radiotherapy for prostate cancer will develop anorectal symptoms, such as fecal urgency, bleeding, rectal pain and tenesmus. Perineal necrosis is a very rare event in these cases. The purpose of this report is the description of a diffuse perineal necrosis due to radiotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. This is a report of a 77-year old male, submitted to radiotherapy with 70 Gy of pelvic radiation for prostate cancer treatment. He came to outpatient practice after 4 months with anorectal complaints. Further investigation revealed severe radiation proctitis, with a perineal wound and external anal sphincter damage. The patient was submitted to a loop transverse colostomy with extended perineal debulking due to diffuse necrosis of pelvic structures, such as prostate, pelvic floor muscles and anterior rectal wall. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was started for the extended perineal wound, with success. Prevention is the key to avoid radiation damage in pelvic organs. Doses above 70 Gy are associated with high risk of associated pelvic complications. The treatment of diffuse perineal necrosis must be prompt and aggressive. Fecal diversion is mandatory in cases with extended sphincter destruction.
Necrosis; Perineum; Radiotherapy; Neoplasms; Prostate
